22. And since facts themselves testify that this result never occurs, and since it is plain that to us no less share of the bounties of life accrues, and to you no greater, what inordinate desire is there to assert that the gods are unfavourable, nay, inimical to the Christians, who, in the greatest adversity, just as in prosperity, differ from you in no respect? If you allow the truth to be told you, and that, too, without reserve, these allegations are but words,—words, I say; nay, matters believed on calumnious reports not proved by any certain evidence.

0743A XXII. Quod cum minime fieri testificentur res ipsae, neque minus ad nos quicquam, neque ad vos plurimum redundare vitalibus ex beneficiis constet, libido quae tanta est inimicos atque hostes deos esse contendere christianis, quos in rebus tristissimis, atque laetis nihil abs te videas ratione in aliqua discrepare? Si verum vobis permittitis, ac sine ullis assentationibus dici: verba sunt haec, verba sunt, res immo per calumnias creditae, non cognitionis alicujus testimonio comprobatae.